Why should my pet have a fecal exam?

Fecal exams give your vet the opportunity to check your dog or cat for intestinal parasites which are otherwise difficult to detect. Annual fecals are the best way to ensure that your pet and your family are safe from intestinal parasites.

What is a fecal exam?

Fecals are microscopic examinations of your pet's feces, carried out in your veterinarian's office. The primary goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any intestinal infections that could be compromising your pet's overall health.

What do fecal exams detect?

Fecal exams are used to determine if your dog or cat has intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms. Parasites not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable, they could lead to more serious conditions for your pet or even be transmitted to family members.

Intestinal parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, hidden from view. Annual fecal exams are the quickest and most reliable way to test your pet for intestinal parasites.

How do I prepare for my pet's fecal exam?

Preparing for your pet's fecal exam is easy. Simply collect a fresh stool sample and bring it to your vet's office that day. For the most accurate results it is best to bring your pet's stool sample in to the vets office within 4 to 6 hours of collection.

If the stool sample dries out or dehydrates many of the potential parasites present may be killed which could mask their presence and make the test results unreliable.

How often does my pet need a fecal?

Our vets recommend that all dogs and cats be tested for parasites at least once a year. Puppies, kittens and animals with gastrointestinal issues may require more frequent fecal exams. Ask your vet how frequently you should bring in your pet’s stool sample for testing.

Fleas can make your pet miserable and lead to more serious conditions. Early detection and treatment of fleas are essential for protecting the health of your animal. Here our vets share some common signs that your dog or cat may have fleas.

Ticks are an external parasite that are prevalent across North Carolina and pose a serious danger to people and pets. Today our vets explain what to look for and how to keep ticks away from your pets and your family.

Client Tails

The entire staff is kind, knowledgeable, and patient. They are well worth the drive from Asheville. Dr Gibson was great with our senior dog in an emergency situation.